Arkivum Files

Naturalism

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Author

Larvor, B.

Attention

2299/15936

Abstract

Humanism is a naturalistic worldview. The British Humanist Association explains on its website that humanists believe, “that the universe is a natural phenomenon with no supernatural side.” Naturalism, then, excludes the supernatural. This much is clear, but when philosophers and scientists develop positive versions of naturalism, it divides into many varieties, from a minimal rejection of magic through to thoroughgoing scientific physicalism or materialism. Faced with this plurality, the way forward is to examine the root philosophical motivation for naturalism to see what it commits us to, and at what cost